California to ban sales of energy-thirsty HDTVs
updated 05:35 pm EDT, Fri September 18, 2009
California to introduce efficiency laws for TVs
The California Energy Commission is considering new regulations that would effectively ban certain HDTVs from being sold in the state, the LA Times reports. The first-of-its-kind proposal for an efficiency standard is deemed necessary in order to offset the drain on the state's electric grid. If enacted, only energy-efficient models would be sold by 2011 and even tougher standards are due by 2013. Detailed specs for the standard are set for a release on Friday, with a 45-day period for public comment and approval expected sometime in November.
If approved, the proposal is said to reduce California's electricity costs by $8.1 billion in 10 years, mainly by reducing the need to build new powerplants.
The Consumer Electronics Association is against the proposed legislation, arguing that it would increase prices. The organization also fears job cuts and other negative effects to the state economy. As soon as the legislation is implemented, the report claims about one in four of all HDTVs in the state would have to be removed from store shelves. Customers could work around the restriction by purchasing banned TVs out-of-state.
Some flat-panel TV makers say they could easily meet the proposed standard, and it wouldn't mean higher prices to the customer. The rules would only affect sets sized at 58 inches or smaller, at least initially. Plasma TVs use significantly more power than LCDs and would be virtually eliminated from California stores under the new law, hindering any new technical developments.
Plasma TVs eliminated
09/18, 08:27pm reply
"Plasma TVs use significantly more power than LCDs and would be virtually eliminated from California stores under the new law, hindering any new technical developments. "
People said the same thing about incandescent light bulbs with the 2012 regulations. But if this NYTimes article is to be believed, technologies can't always be killed that easily!
I imagine it would depend on whether Plasma TVs offer any significant advantages over LCD TVs. Incandescent bulbs offered color and flicker-free light that some people preferred.
gildorn
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Joined: Aug 2009
No TVs actually eliminated
09/18, 11:56pm reply
The CEA report actually states that if the 2011 rules were enforced for the 2008-model TVs that they surveyed, then 25% of those 2008-model TVs would not pass.
The CEA is well aware that the TV manufacturers redesign their products every year, and are already planning major gains in efficiency for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 models. Few if any of the 2011 models will fail the new California standards, since the standards were developed in close consultation with experts from the industry who know what power will be needed by those 2011 models.
That's why the manufacturers the reporter interviewed stated that "they could easily meet the proposed standard, and it wouldn't mean higher prices to the customer."
The CEA point is that they would prefer voluntary specs like EnergyStar rather than compulsory specs.
kenmacleod
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Joined: Sep 2009
Stupid California
09/19, 11:18am reply
This is one of the many reasons I left that state.
This is all posturing. The legislators know the panel makers are going to meet the requirement, so they try to pass a law that requires it. Therefore, they look like they've saved the people of the great state of California once again. Idiots!
Tim_s
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Joined: Jul 2006